Clonliffe Harriers AC

Announcing the Joe Cooper Night of Miles.

Thursday September 3rd in Clonliffe Harriers will be a night of celebration. We will celebrate the life and cherished memory of our former club captain Joe Cooper and we will celebrate the mile.

All club members are invited to enter the Night of Miles on the Morton Stadium track. Entry is now open, to enter simply send a WhatsApp message to 086 1503015 with your projected mile time. All races will be graded. The Night of Miles is open to all members of Clonliffe Harriers from juniors (U/17 – U/20), to seniors, to Masters. To facilitate the putting together of fields for each race and the timetable entry will close strictly on Sunday next August 30, no late entries can be accepted after that date.

When the miles are over, you might well hear a voice in your head saying: ‘put away your sword…’ then it’s time to head to the clubhouse to chat, remember and celebrate Joe Cooper.

A night not to be missed.

Rooney scores for Ireland’s winning team!

(Photo by Keith McClure Photography). Another top drawer run today from Colm Rooney as he donned the Irish singlet once again. Colm was on the Irish team in this morning’s international 5K race held in conjunction with the Antrim coast marathon where he finished in 4th place in a superb 14.02, he was also 2nd score on the Irish team that took 1st place ahead of Scotland.

In the half marathon itself there are a few Clonliffe athletes competing, David Mullen clocked a time of 1:22.00, Colm O’Donaghue 1:25.32, Stephen Tracey 1:26.07 and Timothee Laurent 1:26.54.

On Thursday evening Sean Doran finished 3rd in the Celbridge 5K (15.25).

Grand Prix Series: Grant takes 5000 plate.

The Cooper/Lawler 5000m Plate took place in Morton Stadium on Thursday evening 20th August 2026. The weather conditions were ideal; it was dry and cool. The race itself attracted a large entry of 53 runners, necessitating the holding of two races. Mauricer Ahern was on hands to start both races.

Race 1 – 5000m

In the first race 25 runners took to the starting line at 7.50pm. This proved to be a very exciting race. From the start, a group broke away from the pack and included Jack Doyle, Malcom Kiplagat, Matt Glitz, Said Muhudin and Mohamoud Hashi. The chasing pack included Ray Dunne, Andrew Gaffney, Mick McMahon, Mike Quigley, and Mark O’Sullivan. As the race entered the final laps, Jack Doyle, Malcom Kiplagat and Matt Glitz set the pace. In the final lap Jack Doyle found an extra gear and came home first in a time of 0:15:59 followed by Malcom Kiplagat (0:16:08) and with a strong finish for third Matt Glitz (0:16:10). Yuliya Tarasova had the fastest women’s time of 0:18:42.

Race 2 – 5000m

In the second race of the night 28 runners got underway at 8.15pm. In the initial stages of this race, Peggi Allen took a commanding lead. Those following included Joyce O’Hare, Alex Eustace, Fran McEntee and Richie Barr and Emma Prxymusinska. Dara Peyton missed the earlier race and joined this race one minute after the start and posted a finishing time of 0:18:48. Peggi Allen crossed the line in 0:20:45 followed closely by the strongly finishing Emma Prxymusiska in 0:20:47. Joyce O Hare was third in 0:20:51.

Results:

Race result Cooper Lawler Plate: https://www.clonliffeharriersac.com/grand-prix-series-grant-takes-5000-plate/

The competition for the Cooper/Lawler plate was an exciting one.

On this occasion the Grand Prix was won by the ever-popular Declan Grant

In second place was Caroline Daly and in third place was Mick McMahon.

At the post-race reception, a delighted Declan Grant was presented with the Cooper/Lawler. Caroline Daly was also presented with her prize.

Declan Grant – 66 points
Caroline Daly – 65 points
Mick McMahon – 64 points
Next Race

The next event is the Joe Cooper Night of Miles which takes place on Thursday evening 3rd September 2026.

Further details will be posted on the Conliffe Harriers web site shortly.

Cross Country dates.

With the dust now starting to settle after the Track & Field season, the evenings are getting shorter, there’s a slightly chiller feel to the air and we’ve even seen some rain (!) thoughts now turn to cross country. With that in mind here’s the fixtures for your diary up to Christmas:

September 19th, Club Cross Country C’ships, Santry Park (TBC).

October 4th, Dublin Novice Cross country, Phoenix Park.

October 18th, Autumn Open XC and National XC relays.

November 1st, Dublin Cross Country C’ships, venue TBC

November 22nd, National Cross Country, Abbotstown

December 6th, National Novice Cross Country, venue TBC

There is also the option of some club cross country races in the Grand Prix series, September 24th the O’Connor Cup, November 7th the Irwin Cup and November 21st, the final race in the 2026 series the Horan Cup. After Christmas the Dublin Masters and Intermediate Cross Country will take place in St. Anne’s Park in January followed by National Masters and Intermediate in February.

National League final teams announced.

For the first time in many a long year the national track and field league final takes place this Sunday, August 9th at Morton Stadium. Both the Clonliffe men and women’s teams have qualified in the Premier division. The men face: defending champions DSD, Nenagh Olympic, Crusaders AC, Killarney Valley AC, St Abbans AC, Ratoath SC and Leevale AC whilst the women are up against: DSD, also the defending champions, Ratoath AC, Killarney Valley, Donore Harriers, Finn Valley, Leevale AC and St Abbans AC.

The men’s team is:

100 – Chris Sibanda

200 – Bilal Kanimodo

400 – Christopher Lynch.

800 – Sean Carrigg

1500 – Fintan Kerins.

5000 – Ben Guiden.

3000 SC – Matei Ursachi.

110 H –Niall Carney

400 H – Niall Carney.

Walk – Greg Hossenny

4 x 100 – (from) Chris Sibanda, Bilal Kanimodo, Brandon Muchini, Finley McGill, Eamon Fahy, Anthony Dillon

4 x 400 – (from) Christopher Lynch, Niall Carney, Finlay McGill, Damien Prendergast, Sean Carrigg, Fintan Kerins.

Shot – Eoin Sheridan.

Discus – Eoin Sheridan

Javelin – Euan Canniff

Hammer – Simon Galligan

WFD – Niall Allen.

Pole Vault – David Donegan.

High Jump – Keith Marks

Long Jump – Keith Marks

Triple Jump– Eamon Fahy

Reserve- Malcolm Kiplat

Women’s team:

100 Romi Banim

200 Snezana Bechtina

400 Edel Maguire

800 Niamh Kelly

1500 Hope Saunders

3000 Helena Butterly

100H Blaithin Holden

400H Sophie Kiernan

Steeple Chase Sophie Kiernan

1500 Walk Niamh Whyte

High Jump Maggie Szuta

Long Jump Maggie Szuta / Reserve Caoimhe De Bello

Triple Jump Snezana Bechtina

Pole Vault Snezana Bechtina

WFD Vivian Okafor

Shot Putt Abigail Kingston

Discus Vivian Okafor

Javelin Grace Casey / Reserve Sinead McDermott

Hammer Abigail Kingston

4x100m (from) Charis Amponsa, Romi Banim, Maggie Szuta, Snezana Bechtina,Caomihe De Bello and Abigail Kingston.

4x400m Edel Maguire, Rachel Ardiff, Lucy McFetridge, Niamh Kelly.

Please note that there is limited parking only in Morton Stadium, so please car pool or use public transport. The best of luck to all. Needless to say all support for our teams would be most appreciated.

Clonliffe round up (updated to Bank Holiday Monday).

This weeks round up for Clonliffe athletes start on Wednesday, July 29, Ardglass 5k where Lee Maginness finished in 8th position in 19.50.

Friday, July 31 Lorraine O’Connor was 2nd woman, 8th overall, in the Trasna 5k in Naas finishing in a time of 17.39. Also on Friday at the Streets of Athboy 5k Paul Keenan finished 5th in a new PB of 16.08. 13th was Ger Clerkin 16.33 and 56th Gareth Enright 18.35.

Saturday, August 1, Sean Carrigg had another fine race over 800 at the IFAM Oordegem Meet where he placed 5th in a time of 1.52.65, his 2nd fastest ever over the distance.

Also on Saturday Lee Maginness took 4th in the Mount Stewart Run the Trails 5k in 21.13.

Sunday the 2nd , Jack Doyle took a fine 2nd place (16.08) in the Inner City 5k in the North Dublin Inner City, with 23rd Braxton O’Shea (18.33) and Kim Walsh (32.47).

Monday, the 3rd, the Leinster 10 mile, incorporated into the Battle of Clontarf 10 mile in St. Anne’s Park, Raheny: Anto Doran was 6th, taking Leinster M40 bronze in 55.30. 51st David Murphy, 65.58 and 55th winning Leinster M55 silver was former National Cross Country champion, Noel Cullen (67.09).

Rooney earns International call up.

Peter McDermott reports: Clonliffe great Colm Rooney has been selected to represent Ireland in the Antrim Coast International 5K on August 23. This comes 24 years after Colm’s first International selection back in October 2002 when he was picked to run for Ireland in the Junior Mile held in conjunction with The Great North Run in Newcastle.

The race took place on October 5 2002, the British media were confident that Chris Parr, the young English man whom they were describing as the next Coe or Ovett , would easily win the race. The early pace was set by Dominic McAllister from Belfast but , at half way , Parr glided into the lead . BBC commentators were assuring their viewers that the predicted script was being followed and that it was only a question of by how much would the British boy win . But , with 200m. to go , these same commentators were left scrambling to identify the small lad in a green vest who had the temerity to challenge Parr . It was the first time that these “ experts” experienced what became known as the Rooney Turbo and poor Parr was left floundering in Colm’s wake.

Colm won pulling up in 4:14 . McAllister was pipped for 3rd. on the line by an English lad who rejoiced in the name of Stephen Murphy . Colm went on to have a brilliant cross country season , winning the Dublin Novice , Dublin Junior , Dublin Intermediate and , the jewel in the crown , the National Junior. He finished a fine 14th. in the European Junior XC in December of that year .

It is surely a tribute to his dedication and commitment that he is still winning International vests all these years later . Undoubtedly, an inspiration to us all . Nil D.

Cara Compos wins Richie Barr 800 Grand Prix.

Floodlights, cameras, and bustling crews greeted Clonliffe members as they arrived at the stadium on Thursday night; the familiar track suddenly transformed into a buzzing film set for an upcoming TV series. The air crackled with curiosity and excitement as runners and supporters alike paused to take in the surreal scene. With the production team poised around the infield, the Grand Prix 800m races took on an extra sparkle, knowing that once the final club event was run and won, the stadium would step straight from athletics arena to screen-ready set.

Outcome of 800m races

The 800m is one of the most exciting races, not a sprint and somewhat short to be classed as fully middle distance. Thirty-two runners entered this premier event. Three races were held to accommodate entrants. Maurice Ahern was the starter for all three races.

In the first race Mark Glitz had the fastest time of the night winning in 0:02:10. Ray Dunne was second in a time of 0:02:14 and Mick McMahon was third on 0:02:19.
In the second race Garret Enright won in 0:02:35, Emma Przymusinska was second with in 0:02:38. While Natalia Lungo, making her debut in the Grand Prix, had a time of 0:02:42.
In the third race Cara Compos had an outstanding run on the night clocking 0:02:33, the fastest woman’s time of the night. In second place was Piotr Szelest clocking 0:02:47 and in third place with an impressive performance was Dave Reilly in 0:02:56.

Full results:
https://www.clonliffeharriersac.com/cara-compos-wins-richie-barr-800-grand-prix/

Given that the Grand Prix is a handicap event, whoever was to win the Grand Prix on Thursday night would have to put in a superb performance. The runner who did just that was Cara Compos. She had the fastest time of the night and won the Grand Prix and the Richie Barr Trophy. In second place and improving with every race was Ray Dunne. In third place was Matt Glitz who had the fastest time.

Cara Compos – 66 points

Ray Dunne – 65 Points

Matt Glitz – 64 points

Post race prizing giving

Richie Barr was on hands to present the prizes for this 800m event which he sponsors. Liam Hennessey thanked Richie for his sponsorship. He also thanked all the who officiated and provided the post-race refreshments. Many thanks to all who competed on the night.

Upcoming races

Thursday 6th August ‘26 – Pat O Hara 3000m – Morton Stadium

Thursday 20th August – Cooper/Lawler Plate 5000m – Morton Stadium

Marcus Lawler and Cathal Doyle for Europeans
Many congratulations to Clonliffe athletes’ Marcus Lawler and Cathal Doyle who been selected to compete in the European Athletics Championships. Athletics Ireland today announced a 47 strong team for the championships which take place in Birmingham from August 10-16. Marcus has been selected in the 200 and on the 4 x 100 relay panel whilst Cathal is selected in the 1500. For both athletes it means that they have been selected in all 3 major championships: Olympic Games, World Championships and European Championships.

See full details of the teams announced here: https://www.athleticsireland.ie/athletics-ireland-confirm-final-47-strong-team-for-european-athletics-championships/

Clonliffe Harriers wishes the Irish team every success next month.

ATHLETICS IRELAND CONFIRM FINAL 47-STRONG TEAM FOR EUROPEAN ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS - Athletics Ireland Athletics Ireland have this afternoon confirmed a final 47-strong team for the upcoming European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

Grand Prix Series: 800s, Thursday 30th.

The Richie Barr sponsored 800m takes place in Morton Stadium tonight Thursday the 30th of July 2026. This is the 9th race in the current Grand Prix Series.

There are 43 entries for this race, and three races will be held to accommodate all.

A prize giving together light refreshments will be provided at the post-race reception at the Clonliffe Clubhouse at which the Richie Barr Cup will be presented to the GP winner. The first race will be held at 8.00pm.

START LISTS

Race 1 – 800m – 8pm

No Bib First name Surname
1 11 Robbie Burns
2 19 Dave Comiskey
3 37 Stephen Doyle
4 38 Lee Duddy
5 41 Ray Dunne
6 42 David Dunwoody
7 52 Andrew Gaffney
8 61 Matt Glitz
9 88 Mick McMahon
10 102 Philip O’Doherty
11 105 Fergal O’Shea
12 107 Jerry O’Sullivan
13 111 Dara Peyton
14 115 Mike Quigley
15 124 Niall Sherlock
Race 2 – 800m – 8.06pm

No Bib First name Surname
1 2 Peigi Allen
2 5 Richie Barr
3 30 David Dineen
4 36 Diarmuid Doyle
5 44 Gareth Enright
6 50 Carl Flemming
7 51 Joe Fowler
8 54 Mick Gleeson
9 72 Natalia Lungu
10 82 James McDaid
11 Guest Emna Przymusinska
12 118 Philip Richards
13 130 Ger Walsh
14 131 Liam Ward
Race 3 – 800m – 8.15pm

No Bib First name Surname
1 16 Cara Campos
2 28 Pat Devitt
3 32 Colm Doran
4 49 Deirdre Fitzsimmons
5 66 Jake Kernan
6 76 Maura Mathews
7 81 Siobhan McCarthy
8 96 Declan Murray
9 100 Aideen O’Connor
10 114 Mary Purdue Smith
11 117 Dave Reilly
12 127 Fionnuala Smith
13 Guest Piotr Szelest
14 134 Trevor Wisdom